John Spencer writes: My dog is also an introvert. I didn’t realize that was possible with dogs, but it is. She likes to have “me time.” If things get too loud and crazy, she will walk into the other room…. Read More ›
Teaching & Learning
Better dead than coed?
“Andover will go coed over my dead body!” That’s what my AP Latin teacher told us at least three or four times during my senior year. His prediction didn’t quite come true, but it was close: in 1973, the year… Read More ›
Should you pay attention to what your English teacher says?
I could answer by saying “no, you shouldn’t” — but my colleagues and friends who teach English would be up in arms. Instead, I can say “yes, but question authority” — i.e., ask for evidence, not just rules that are… Read More ›
What’s the difference between honors and regular math classes?
When you were in high school, did you take honors or regular math classes? Or a mixture of the two, depending on the year? In any case, what motivated your decision? What’s the difference between the two levels — or,… Read More ›
How some people talk to teachers
Excerpts from a recent article in McSweeney’s, “If people talked to other professionals the way they talk to teachers”: “Ah, a zookeeper. So, you just babysit the animals all day?” – – – “My colon never acts this way at… Read More ›
Entitled at Weston? Or overworked?
As we all have learned over the past two years, our Dear Leader’s strategy is to blame others for his own shortcomings, to accuse his enemies of those characteristics that are really his own character flaws, to claim to speak… Read More ›
Martin Badoian, RIP
I am saddened to report that Martin Badoian died on Friday at age 90. Marty taught at Canton High School until he was 89! He is best known for coaching the amazingly successful math team at Canton and for founding… Read More ›
“We don’t work with greasy machines!”
“In the Mathematics Department we don’t work with greasy machines,” replied one of my undergraduate math professors with a sneer. “You’re going to have to go to the Applied Math department if that’s what you want to do.” That was… Read More ›
A later start time
Weston students, parents, and teachers: Is the later start time working? Let me know!
Feedback from 46 years ago
Going through some old papers, I came across a summary of student feedback from Relations & Functions, a course I team-taught at Lincoln-Sudbury (L–S). This was more-or-less equivalent to today’s Honors Precalculus, and it’s instructive to consider the similarities and… Read More ›
